No. 4 MSU upset in season opener, falls to James Madison 79-76 in overtime
Madeline Kenney
East Lansing — Tom Izzo was asked a lot in the lead-up to Monday’s season opener whether he liked the pressure of being ranked so highly in the preseason.
“Hell yes,” Izzo said. “Last year, I wasn’t really happy not ranked. So definitely want the pressure of being ranked.”
Be careful what you wish for.
No. 4 Michigan State’s stunning 79-76 overtime loss Monday against James Madison was a reality check for the Spartans.
“We played very poorly,” Izzo said after the game. "They outplayed us, they deserve to win… I didn’t think it’d go like that, but then again, I don’t think we can shoot like we did and expect our defense to carry us in any ways, and it didn’t but it didn’t because it’s depressing to keep missing free throw after free throw.”
Tyson Walker, who played a big role in getting Michigan State back in the game after a rough start, had the ball in his hands in the final seconds of regulation, but his shot was short, sending the game into overtime.
BOX SCORE: James Madison 79, Michigan State 76 (OT)
Forward T.J. Bickerstaff hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:18 left in overtime, and the Spartans never regained control of the lead.
Walker scored 17 of his game-high 35 points in the second half, but Izzo was critical of the graduate guard's overall performance. Freshman forward Coen Carr, one of the only players Izzo praised by name, had 14 points and six rebounds in his Spartan debut.
Monday was the Spartans first time losing a November home game since 1989. Michigan State is the first AP top-5 team to lose its season opener against an unranked opponent since the Spartans fell to Hawaii in 2005, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
MSU notes: Izzo calls out upperclassman for lack of leadership after loss
After the game, a dejected Izzo commended James Madison for pulling off the upset. He hopes his team can learn from the disappointment.
“I hope they respond by being ticked off," Izzo said. "But I know they respond by playing a little harder, more physical, and I don’t know what to say about the free throws, I harp on it every day."
Monday should’ve been been an opportunity for Michigan State to ease into its season before its schedule gets increasingly more difficult.
But the Spartans were caught sleeping, and the Dukes made them pay, forcing Michigan State to play catch-up for most of the game. After leading for most of the final 10 minutes of the second half, the Dukes forced overtime, where the Spartans ultimately fell.
The Spartans missed 10 of their 22 free throws in the first half before finishing the night shooting 62.2% from the charity stripe. The errors at the foul line as well as their collective struggles with their shots -- Michigan State went 1-for-20 from 3-point range -- were too much to overcome.
James Madison was the team who wanted it more at the beginning. The Dukes were the aggressors, crashing the offensive glass and their active defense, at times, pressured the Spartans into tough spots.
Michigan State didn’t have many answers for them as the Spartans looked out of sorts from the jump.
The Spartans started to dig themselves out of the 13-point hole the Dukes put them in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Michigan State trailed 37-33 at the half.
The Spartans came out being the bullies of the second half. Jaden Akins plowed through a James Madison player for a layup that tied the game.
On the other end, Quincy Allan drove to the basket, Walker stole the ball and sent it up to A.J. Hoggard who flipped it back to a cutting Walker for the go-ahead two-point basket with 10:53 left.
Finally, the Spartans showed the type of aggression they had been lacking all night. The Dukes would tie it on several occasions, but Michigan State never trailed again in regulation.
Dukes forward T.J. Bickerstaff made a jumper to tie the game at 68 with 14.5 seconds remaining in regulation.
The Spartans put the ball in Walker’s hands as the clock ticked down. With a second remaining, Walker’s shot was short, sending the game into overtime.
Walker missed one of his two free throws in the closing minute of overtime, allowing the Dukes to maintain a one-point lead.
On the other end, Raekwon Horton, a recent transfer from College of Charleston who played only seven minutes in the opening half, hit the dagger 3 to put James Madison up by four.
Out of the timeout, Walker sprinted down the floor for an easy layup, leaving only 3.4 seconds left.
Jeremy Fears fouled T.J. Bickerstaff, who split a pair of free throws to give the Dukes a three-point advantage with 2 seconds remaining.
Walker turned the ball over as time expired and the Dukes stormed the court to celebrate, while the Spartans hung their heads in disappointment.
“I could very well see this being something that leads them to greatness," James Madison coach Mark Byington said. "I wouldn’t be surprised if this or something else this season helps them get to the Final Four this year. They’re that good, that talented.”
Michigan State will look to rebound against Southern Indiana on Thursday before traveling to Chicago for the Champions Classic next week, where they’re scheduled to play No. 2 Duke.
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